Telephone lamp



9, 1961 R. J. CONRADT 2,998,509

TELEPHONE LAMP Filed Oct. 15, 1958 38 IN VENTOR R/cHARD J. CONRADT United States Patent Ofice Patented Aug. 29, 1961 2,998,509 TELEPHONE LAMP Richard J. Conradt, 774 Meigs St, Rochester 20, NY. Filed Oct. '15, 1958, Ser. No. 757,338 lClaim. (Cl. 2402.17)

This invention relates to a telephone lamp, and has as its primary object the provision of an improved combination lamp and pad arrangement, the lamp being so arranged as to illuminate the pad and at the same time illuminate the dial of the telephone when the latter is used.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a light provided with switch means whereby the raising or lifting of the hand set automatically closes a circuit to illuminate the light.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a unit which is substantially self contained, and which is adapted to be applied to the base of any conventional existing telephone.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter, and disclosed in the accompanying drawing wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of such a device which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efficient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and utilize.

Having reference now to the drawing in detail:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one form of device embodying features of this inventive concept shown as applied to a conventional telephone.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the device of FIGURE 1 shown disassociated from the telephone, certain concealed portions thereof being indicated in dotted lines.

FIGURE 3 is a front or end elevational view of the device as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

FIGURE 4 is a bottom exploded perspective view of the device.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of one form of switch employed in connection with the instant device.

Having reference now to the drawing in detail there is generally indicated at a supporting base, which includes a raised rim 11 which forms interiorly a hollow channel 12, for the reception of wiring or the like in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter. The base is covered by a bottom plate 13, which serves as a support or base for a slide 14, upon which is adapted to be secured in any desired manner a pad 15, and which carries a spring clip 16 for the accommodation of a pencil 17. A tongue 18 extends downwardly from the forward lip of the interior of the recess formed by the channel 11, and serves to retain the tray or drawer 14, which is provided with a raised rim 19, frictionally interiorly of the base when not in use. A telephone stand 20 of conventional design is adapted to be seated on top of the instrument, and retained in position by rear corner wires 21, which serve to locate the stand and front corner wires 22, each of which front corner wires is provided with an upright support portion 23, which serves as a holder for one end of a light shade 24, which has a cut-away section in the under surface thereof. Also secured to one of the upstanding members 23 is a light socket 26, adapted to receive a light bulb 27.

A band 28 has its ends secured, as by riveting at 29, to the ends of the upright portions 23 and the shade 24, and is adapted to partially encircle the conventional dial boss 30 on the telephone stand in such manner as to reflect light rays from bulb 27 rearwardly onto the telephone dial. Light rays are cast directly rearwardly onto the pad 15, when the latter is extended for use, by the cut-away section 25 in the latter.

Any suitable means, such as screws extending through apertures 35 and bosses 36 in the corners of the channel 12, may be provided for securing the base plate to the instrument.

The space formed by the channel 12 serves as a space for suitable wiring 37, which extends from any suitable source of electrical current, such as a plug on cord 38, through a switch generally indicated at 40 to the lamp socket 26. The switch 49 is arranged as best shown in FIGURE 5 to comprise a tubular member 41 surrounded by a head 42, which is normally biased as by means of a spring 43 upwardly. When in its uppermost position a contact 44 carried by the head 42 is biased into engagement with contacts 45, which serves to close a circuit to the lamp 27. When the hand set 48 of the telephone is in position as shown in FIGURE 2 however the cap 42 is normally pressed downwardly to separate the contacts 44 and 45. Immediately upon raising the hand set however the circuit is closed to illuminate the light.

It is to be understood that while the drawer in this modification is disclosed in the front of the device the pad and pencil may be positioned on a drawer which opens from the side if desired.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided a device which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiments hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What I claim is:

A telephone light for use with telephone stands comprised by a rectangular supporting base including a flat top, downwardly depending side and rear walls and an open front, a drawer slidably mounted through the open front and between said downwardly depending side walls, a first pair of angle brackets mounted at the corners of the end of the base disposed away from the open front, a switch mounted on one side of the base extending upwardly and outwardly from the latter and having a reciprocable circuit making and breaking element, a second pair of angle brackets mounted at the corners of the open front of the base and having uprights thereon positioned above the open front, a socket mounted on one of said uprights, a bulb received in said socket, circuit connections between said switch and said socket, a cylindrical shade mounted on said uprights surrounding said socket and bulb and having its side wall partially cut away for casting light rays forwardly and rearwardly, and a U shaped reflecting band extending upwardly and forwardly over the supporting base and secured at its ends to the cylindrical shade.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,769,445 Martin July 1, 1930 1,996,767 Hunter Apr. 9, 1935 2,200,629 Louis May 14, 1940 2,217,242 Swalley et al. Oct. 8, 1940 r 2,437,237 Beitch et a1 Mar. 9, 1948 2,908,466 OBrien Oct. 13, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 59,956 Denmark June 29, 1942 

